Call for scientists

The Romanian Institute of Science and Technology (RIST) is a private, non-profit, research institute, founded in 2009.

RIST aims to provide an appropriate institutional and administrative support for scientists that would like to work in Romania and are not satisfied by the conditions offered by existing Romanian research institutions. We aim to attract a significant percentage of the Romanian scientists currently working abroad and who would like to return to the country. We also welcome other world class scientists, currently working either in Romania or abroad.

RIST is a grassroots initiative, resulting from the enlargement of the Center for Cognitive and Neural Studies (Coneural), founded in 2002, which proved to be a successful experiment. Coneural hosts the only Romanian Partner Group of the prestigious Max Planck Institute (Germany).

Key focus areas

RIST is open to scientists from all scientific domains, however we expect an enhanced development within the following areas:

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning;

Computer science and information technology;

Bioinformatics;

Theoretical and computational physics;

Theoretical and computational neuroscience;

Cognitive sciences, education science;

Robotics;

Theoretical and computational modelling in various areas of science and technology;

Complex systems;

Social sciences;

Mathematics, especially applied mathematics.

Brief information about Cluj

Cluj-Napoca is the main city of Transylvania and an important academic center of Eastern Europe, being host to about 100,000 students. The city hosts a booming software development industry, including development offices for major international players like Google, HP, Siemens and Bosch as well as local companies ranging from small startups to large software development providers. Cluj has a well connected international airport. You may find more information about the city on Wikitravel or these local websites: I love Cluj, ClujLife, Cluj Business. Cluj is about an hour away from hiking in the Transylvanian Carpathians. The cost of living in Cluj is significantly lower than in Western Europe or USA (Numbeo - see also some rental information).

How to join us

Scientists who are not currently affiliated to RIST and who would like to apply for funding for projects that will be hosted by RIST must obtain the institute's approval by sending to office@rist.ro a CV including a publication list or links to web pages that include this information. Following the approval, scientists may apply for funding indicating RIST as a host institution. Once the funding secured, the scientists can hire the members of their teams and set up and run their own research groups within RIST.

RIST rents the office space and thus it cannot host projects or labs that require special installations or conditions that cannot be met by office buildings or other types of buildings normally available for rental (houses, industrial buildings, etc.). RIST currently operates in Cluj-Napoca and previously had a branch in Bucharest. Reopening the Bucharest branch is possible if this will be asked by the affiliated scientists.